Picking The Perfect Pet-Friendly Rug

We adore our pets—we really do. But we’re sometimes less than thrilled when we have to forgo a fabulous decorating find because Fido or Fluffy might turn it into a scrap heap faster than you can say “Hands off the home décor.” When it comes to rugs, we’ve learned the hard way what works for households with cats or dogs, so we’ve put together this handy, no-disappointment tips guide for picking the perfect pet-friendly rug:

Materials

First, let’s start with what to avoid. Claws—even trimmed ones—can get stuck on and snag hooked and looped rug constructions. And viscose-blend rugs, while supersoft and sumptuous, require professional cleaning. We recommend confining these rugs to rooms that are off-limits to pets.

Woven wool, tufted wool, and jute rugs are durable (though not entirely scratch-proof; keep this in mind if you have a dog who loves to dig or an overzealous feline), easy to vacuum, and typically easy to clean with enzymatic stain removers like Nature’s Miracle. However, old, set-in stains and repeat urine marking require professional attention.

Cotton chenille rugs are soft and cozy underfoot, and pets love lounging and playing on them. But their naturally fuzzy feel makes them fur magnets, so they require more frequent vacuuming. They can also be a bit more delicate than woven cotton rugs, meaning they might not hold up as well to frequent washing.

Woven cotton rugs are lightweight and easy to move around—and take outside for a good shake. They’re also durable, and the smaller sizes can often be hand washed (and hung to dry). They’re not chew- or scratch-proof, so keep an eye on young puppies or horizontal scratchers around these rugs.

If you go with a washable rug, such as indoor/outdoor or woven cotton, pretty much any color will work. Saturated colors and patterns can work wonders at hiding an “oops,” especially in jute, woven wool, and tufted wool rugs.

Size and Placement

We’re crazy about a supersize rug and the dimension it adds to a space. That said, these rugs aren’t easy to move, and they’re best cleaned by professionals—important considerations if your pet is accident-prone and the rug needs frequent washing. For this reason, consider using two smaller rugs in a large space; you’ll get the same wow factor, but you won’t need to call the neighbors every time you need to move a rug. And your cleaning bill will be a lot smaller, too.

When our pets show a particular . . . affinity for a rug, we make sure to keep it in an easily accessible place. So while we might put two legs of the sofa and a lightweight coffee table or ottoman on top, we avoid piling all of our furniture and accessories on the rug. This way, when we need to take it out of the room for cleaning, it’s a simple matter of lifting a few items, rather than rearranging an entire room.